Why is Game of Thrones Popular?

[May_Lily]

So Game of Thrones has ended recently, and I have been wondering how this story became so popular to the point it became mainstream. I have not fully gotten into the series as I did not get far in reading book one, and I have not watch the show at all. I do want to get back to reading Fire and Ice one day, but in the meantime I would like to know what makes this show so great to a lot of people. I was told earlier today that it's popularity was due to the fact it's a fantasy story that is full on gritty and dark, which is something most people do not come across often. However I thought to ask you all to see if there are others aspects of the show a lot of people like about it (including yourselves if you are into the show as well).

 

[Gustbk]

I'm not sure what this discussion has to do with a manga-sharing site but okay -- There are many factors that could attribute to the mainstream popularity of a fantasy show like Game of Thrones but I'd argue it was just the perfect storm of interesting narrative elements and internal consistency coupled with an amazing TV production that blows even movies out of the water (something that gets even more obvious on later seasons -- where they even being famous directors and coordinators to design some big moments).

So yeah, it's got a bit of everything for everyone whilst being it's own unique story. Although, much like what happens with anime, once the series caught up to the books the actual writing just got more lackluster until it culminated into a generally messy finale...leaving most viewers not satisfied. I'd still recommend checking out at least the first 5 Seasons...then wait a decade until Game of Thrones Brotherhood comes out.

 

[goronyanpai]

I also want to know what makes this worth to follow.
I read novels, but somehow fantasy has never been my favorite. I'm used to thrillers, mysteries and historical - only in novels that make me not want to imagine too high, prefer realistic and heavy in context.

Also, maybe you won't find a satisfying answer here. You can meet/ask people who are really big fans of the TV series like on Facebook. I always meet those who are involved in becoming scientific experts in solving existing theories - and how funny their reaction when the final episode ended was not as expected.

 

[LowSanity]

To understand why the show was(last 3 seasons are dumpster fire) so popular we need to start with the book. It's(if i recall correctly) the first fantasy work by science fiction author George(you know the rest). He writes in specific manner, his style is that he doesn't know what his characters will do tomorrow. He sows a lot of plot seeds and then thinks which single one the character will fallow. That way the chosen seed changes into the story and the rest into background/world building. When you read his books you get the feeling of huge and living world where everyone can be killed next day by war or plots. He is known for subverting the expectations but not like it's done in the show, he forshadows every important event, the reader just need to understand the clues and connect them toogether. Not every reader connects the right dost and his understanding of the story is different, it's what makes theory crafting in a group of readers really enjoyable. I would say that his books aren't that great when you read them the first time. During my first read i was only interested in Jon and Dany storyline and the book was just good in my opinion but one of my friends convinced me to read it two more times and just fallow side character stories. Third read is when i changed my mind, now i think that the series is 9/10.
It's not a high fantasy, there is literally a scene where certain priest performs CPR and calls it magic. The books references Tolkien and Lovecraft on few ocasions, the references aren't important to the story. I find it quite enjoyable to catch the jokes/references made by the author.

The book had huge fanbase even before the show. The show started with amazing production value and was fallowing the books(George helped the writers with both plots and visuals, he have worked in hollywood in the past) and the book fans started talking with other ppl. Back at in the year of first season there was no other popular show that was killing it's main characters, had huge stakes and on top of that HBO wanted nudity(i doubt many ppl watched just to see some boobs but who knows). Back in 2011 or whatever year it started there really wasn't anything even close to it in scale and quality of plot. The last 3 seasons of the show are made without help of the author and the books(the books aren't finished). It made the quality of the story drop and on top of that it's CGI gallore.
Watch the show if your friend is recommending it but if you want the real experience then pick up the books.

 

[May_Lily]

@Gustbk

This discussion has nothing really to do with a manga-sharing site. However it’s because Game of Thrones is not a manga/anime series that I posted this in the General section of the forum instead of the Manga or Anime section.

As for Game of Thrones getting the kind of remake Fullmetal Alchemist did, I giggled when I read Game of Thrones Brotherhood. ^_^ However I think the chances of that happening are unlikely but we will see. In the meantime I would be contempt with the books the show is base on.

As for the reason you shared as to why Game of Thrones became a huge hit, I am a bit amaze to learn that the show’s quality and production was so good that it even surpass the film medium. That is something one does not expect. Also, I do remember learning about the narrative of Game of Thrones and why it’s good (something in which I forgot to mention earlier) from one of the people I watch on youtube who teaches on creative writing. It shows how well crafted story can attract this much attention.

@goronyanpai

I am not looking for a definitive answer but just different ideas of what other people, or those in this forum, like about Game of Thrones, and maybe seeing if there is a commonality. Plus I thought it would be a good conversation to have. Also you meet some interesting people on facebook.

As for the story of Game of Thrones from what I have seen and read a bit, the story does not seem quite as fantastical as you might think it is, or at least not in the same degree as J.R.R Tolkien’s The Hobbit and the trilogy sequel that followed The Lord of the Rings and C.S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia. In fact LowSanity did mention in his comment that Game of Thrones is not high fantasy. While it does take place in a fantasy world with dragons the presentations and what the characters go through appear grounded (especially when dealing politics of the world). In fact I learn that the story takes inspiration from an historical English event known as Wars of the Roses.

@LowSanity

Wow LowSanity! You sure know a lot about the arthur of Game of Thrones. 😮I never knew up until now he wrote science fiction stories. He seems to be a really skilled writer and story teller. As for the reasons you explain why Game of Thrones has done so well this is similar to what I was told yesterday (at least concerning the show) as well as what I learn from watching a video that broke down one of the episodes to explain why it was great. That might be the commonality that this story has going for.

I do tend to start with the books, but when I get around to reading them it would seem I have to write down the names of characters and who they are just to know who is who (I am not good with names).

 

[ununseti]

For me, I mainly got a lot of my initial exposure to Game of Thrones via YouTube clips.

I... I don't think I've actually sat down and watched any episodes of the TV Show in whole from start to finish yet. But I've read enough of the Wikia plot summaries and I've watched enough YouTube clips and I've read enough discussion threads and fanfics that I think I have a pretty good grasp on the entire storyline now... even though I've never officially completely watched it

I originally stumbled across Game of Thrones because I knew Maisie Williams was in it and I knew Maisie Williams from Pentatonix. I guess what really pulled me into the series was this YouTube video, a fairly self-contained supercut of only the Season 2 scenes with Arya (played by Maisie Williams) in it.

So in this plot thread:
✓ Arya crossdresses as a boy to disguise herself (I love gender benders!)
✓ From antagonists to friends! (I love this sort of thing)
✓ Seems really grimdark and despairing and scary and all-hope-is-lost at first but is actually surprisingly optimistic and hopeful overall because the MCs end up with quite a few good cards stacked in their favour (I'm reminded of Attack on Titan, which is kind of similar in this way)

 

[LowSanity]

@May_Lily I thought it was common knowledge George was a science fiction writer. His "Nightflyers"(not his best work) was made into a shitty movie in the past and recently into a netflix series. I was on some panel were he was telling the story of his life, that's how i know the stuff.

 

[May_Lily]

@ununseti

So when do you plan to watch Game of Thrones?

@LowSanity

I see. Also, the fact George wrote science fiction stories is perhaps common knowledge for the people who are familiar with him or who like reading that genre, but I am not among those people.

 

[Greenfrost]

I never watched it. Although, I hear about it all the time because it's everywhere. I may get around to it eventually, but right now I'm too busy re-watching every Steven Spielberg cartoon. I'm currently enjoying Freakazoid right now.

 

[axelTHEGREAT]

For me it was because of great plot (until season 7), character development and medieval setting. Tips: Don't ever read spoilers, you will regret it later!

 

[May_Lily]

I am already deep in spoilers (at least concerning the TV show), because it’s not the ending from the original author. Plus I am watching a video from a person I follow who is a writer who is talking about how he would fix the ending for the TV show, and I am watching it to learn how to better write stories.

 

[LowSanity]

@May_Lily I think this articles is excellent explanation to The Real Reason Fans Hate the Last Season of Game of Thrones

 

[May_Lily]

I read the article you shared yesterday and found it interesting. Thank you for sharing this. I never thought of storytelling that way. For me I would guess this sociological approach to storytelling is something that might be more common in historic fiction given how in history there is rarely if ever good/bad people involve. As someone who likes to write and read stories I generally prefer the psychological approach to storytelling (perhaps due to me preferring individualism as well as desiring more to have connections with characters I can relate to), but I certainly can understand a need for more shows (as well as books, films, and video games) to take a more sociological approach to storytelling. As the person who wrote the article is saying life is not as simple as we like to think or believe it is and I have learn over the years that this dualistic thinking (good vs. evil for example) we tend to follow is not helping us as a society and as a species.

Also, while I do prefer the psychological approach to storytelling I do generally like when stories have villains and/or antagonists who are more complex then they let on, and would like to write antagonist like that as well for my stories.

 

[LowSanity]

@May_Lily I don't think that one way is better then other but when you start the story with one approach and then change it midway it will create a lot of confusion. I was expecting ppl loving, hating and being neutral to how the show eneded to be split 30/40/30 but the side that hate/don't like it is much bigger and wasn't made only of book fans. I remember speaking with a guy from my work that was hyped when

Spoiler

Arya

killed

Spoiler

the night's king

so i was expecting he would be hyped after the last episode but he was like the ending was stupid. It kind of shattered my view of GoT none book fans. I found this article searching for answer why ppl hyped with CGI wouldn't like it.

 

[May_Lily]

Yes you are right. Both the psychological and sociological approaches are valid means of storytelling, but changing from one approach to another is problematic indeed. Also I take it you learn that the people who love the Game of Thrones adaptation are just as passionate as those who love the original source material.

 

[LowSanity]

@May_Lily It may sound strange to you but i was really dumbfound by it. I guess i was judging ppl without even realising it.

 

[May_Lily]

It's not strange at all. I think I have an idea as to why you made that assumption as typically people who care about an adaptation so much would also take the time to read the source material it's base on.

 

[Your-Waifu-Sucks]

Because it's good.